What: Unattended Grief by Joseph Martinez
When: Now – November 23 Thursday through Sunday noon – 6pm.
Where: Colorado Convention Center
See below for the show description, the statement about the exhibition title by his friend and musician George Lewis Jr., and the artist bio.
Unattended Grief
Joseph Martinez
Unattended Grief is an interactive installation that transforms the gallery into the
childhood bedroom the artist never had. Shaped by memories of instability, constant
moves, and growing up as the third of eight siblings without personal space, Martinez
reimagines a room of solace, curiosity, and self-expression.
Every element in the space is crafted by hand in the artist’s woodshop, including a bed,
dresser, nightstand, and drafting table. The room is filled with the objects that once
inspired him: action figures, comics, art books, and materials for creative play. Viewers
are invited to wander, open drawers, and handle the works they discover. Some objects
are intended to be taken, creating a sense of exchange and continuity between the
artist’s memories and the audience’s experiences.
The installation blurs the boundaries between artwork and play space, encouraging
visitors to reconnect with their own childhood selves through curiosity and making. Art
supplies are available for use, transforming the room into a living studio where creation
is ongoing throughout the duration of the exhibition. When the show concludes,
Martinez will donate all of the hand-built furniture to a child in need, extending the
work’s gesture of care and imagination beyond the gallery walls.
Through this act of building and sharing, Martinez confronts long-buried emotions and
unattended grief, channeling them into a space of imagination, resilience, an
Additional Show Highlights:
The artist is self-taught and traditionally works in watercolor and oil, but has recently been exploring wood craftsmanship. All of the furniture in the installation was hand-built by Joseph. Guests are encouraged to sift through the collections of his artwork displayed on the desk, in drawers, and throughout the room. The work is not for sale, though the artist may host a closing event where guests can exchange art—details forthcoming. All of the furniture will be donated to a child in need after the conclusion of the exhibition.
